Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - In very rusty condition ...but is this a Khanda??

Jim McDougall · 18th March 2007, 05:06 PM

I have been watching this with great interest, and completely agree with Richard, that further removal of patination should stop here. Honestly I prefer the dark patination personally, as that ,in my imaginings holds history itself.

In any case, I think Jens is entirely correct, that this is most probably from Rajasthan regions, and I believe a sword from early to mid 18th century with some very interesting aspects that I will explain further.

The most fascinating thing about this weapon is that it appears to be a hybrid form, as certain elements such as the distinctive spatulate blade tip and the bud on the pommel of the hilt suggest this is the elusive South Indian sword known as 'pattisa'. This is discussed in Pant ("Indian Arms & Armour, New Delhi, 1980, p.65) and the author notes that Rawson has grouped the pattisa and khanda into the same category ("The Indian Sword"). The key differences are that pattisa typically do not have the knuckleguard, as seen on this early form of Hindu basket hilt, and as noted, the pommel has the bud, and then there is the spatulate blade.
With the full hilt favored by Rajputs on thier khandas, and the blade of spatulate form as well as the distinctive bud pommel, this may be as indicated, a very early hybrid weapon.Of further interest is that this may well have been furbished by one of the nomadic Gandi Lohar armourers that were so favored by the Rajputs ("By My Sword and Shield" , E.Jaiwent Paul, New Delhi, 1995, p.54-55).

I would consider this sword best classified as a patissa with khanda form basket hilt, probably Rajput, early to mid 18th c.

It is interesting, as Jens notes, that there is a ricasso on this blade, which seems entirely unnecessary on a basket hilt sword, lending certain credence to the likelihood of its purpose to act more as a choil in sharpening than to provide a finger support position. Discussions on that topic have remained at impasse with no conclusions, thus we must remain satisfied that perhaps there were multiple purposes.

On a different track concerning these interesting spatulate blades, consider the much wider influence this blade form may have had on the weapons in other cultural spheres, such as Africa. Look at the Maasai 'seme' and the shape of the blade, seen on a recently run thread. While these typically have the rhomboid cross section, the overall blade profile is compellingly similar.
Just a thought

All the best,
Jim

18th March 2007, 05:06 PM	#20
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	I have been watching this with great interest, and completely agree with Richard, that further removal of patination should stop here. Honestly I prefer the dark patination personally, as that ,in my imaginings holds history itself. In any case, I think Jens is entirely correct, that this is most probably from Rajasthan regions, and I believe a sword from early to mid 18th century with some very interesting aspects that I will explain further. The most fascinating thing about this weapon is that it appears to be a hybrid form, as certain elements such as the distinctive spatulate blade tip and the bud on the pommel of the hilt suggest this is the elusive South Indian sword known as 'pattisa'. This is discussed in Pant ("Indian Arms & Armour, New Delhi, 1980, p.65) and the author notes that Rawson has grouped the pattisa and khanda into the same category ("The Indian Sword"). The key differences are that pattisa typically do not have the knuckleguard, as seen on this early form of Hindu basket hilt, and as noted, the pommel has the bud, and then there is the spatulate blade. With the full hilt favored by Rajputs on thier khandas, and the blade of spatulate form as well as the distinctive bud pommel, this may be as indicated, a very early hybrid weapon.Of further interest is that this may well have been furbished by one of the nomadic Gandi Lohar armourers that were so favored by the Rajputs ("By My Sword and Shield" , E.Jaiwent Paul, New Delhi, 1995, p.54-55). I would consider this sword best classified as a patissa with khanda form basket hilt, probably Rajput, early to mid 18th c. It is interesting, as Jens notes, that there is a ricasso on this blade, which seems entirely unnecessary on a basket hilt sword, lending certain credence to the likelihood of its purpose to act more as a choil in sharpening than to provide a finger support position. Discussions on that topic have remained at impasse with no conclusions, thus we must remain satisfied that perhaps there were multiple purposes. On a different track concerning these interesting spatulate blades, consider the much wider influence this blade form may have had on the weapons in other cultural spheres, such as Africa. Look at the Maasai 'seme' and the shape of the blade, seen on a recently run thread. While these typically have the rhomboid cross section, the overall blade profile is compellingly similar. Just a thought All the best, Jim